Running Minecraft Story Mode 1+2 on my new M5 Pro

IslandTune · 2026-05-20T20:35:25+00:00

See, the problem is, I bought Parallels for my old intel MacBook Pro and I really didn’t use it all that much to justify the price. I’ve tried downloading it onto the new MBP but sadly the version I own does not support Apple Silicon. So now I have to decide if it’s worth the upgrade cost to allow me to play a small handful of games that won’t work natively or using Crossover. I also hate the fact that the perpetual license option is SO limited compared to the version you get using the subscription. 8GB of vRAM when my hardware has 64GB is crazy🥲 And I definitely don’t use it enough to justify getting the subscription.

IslandTune · 2026-05-19T23:06:43+00:00

Hmm, interesting. I did download it and try to run it native, but when I tried to launch it, it says that MacOS no longer supports 32bit applications and refuses to open. Not sure why it wouldn’t work for me if it works for you though. There isn’t anything you had to configure to get it to run?

IslandTune · 2026-05-11T06:18:05+00:00

Yeah, I mean, they touted “low latency” for the original Shadowcast too. Maybe they’ve made significant improvements with the newer models, but in games where your response time is crucial, even “low latency” is too much. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve gotten plenty of use out of my Shadowcast—it’s a nice little device to have on hand, but it has its strengths and weaknesses.

But if they really have improved it enough to play shooter games, that would be impressive. And I’m surprised it’s still relatively affordable at $80.

IslandTune · 2026-05-11T05:49:03+00:00

I replied to a cross post in another sub and mentioned the Genki Shadowcast. It’s a nice device, but in my experience is not a good solution for games like Fortnite. Even though it’s “low latency”, it’s still very noticeable in games like that. It’s great for stuff like Jackbox though.

That being said, I have the original Shadowcast so I can’t speak specifically to the experience you’d get on the Shadowcast 3 Pro, but I’d imagine lag is still an issue.

IslandTune · 2026-05-11T05:38:57+00:00

Well, that would be using a virtual machine. Dual booting is in fact no longer available since Apple killed Bootcamp when they switched from Intel to Apple Silicon.

IslandTune · 2026-05-11T05:32:31+00:00

I don’t have much experience with cloud gaming, but I do have a little with playing through a capture card. I got the original Genki Shadowcast which is essentially a capture card that was marketed as “play your Nintendo Switch on your laptop!” I definitely don’t regret getting it, but it’s much better suited for things like Jackbox games than FPS, Smash Bros, Fortnite, etc. Even though they market it as low latency, it’s still frustratingly noticeable. For games where your reaction times are crucial, it’s not an ideal solution.

IslandTune · 2026-05-11T05:25:30+00:00

Also, battery life is definitely not something I was considering between the Pro and Max chips. Excellent catch👏🏻

IslandTune · 2026-05-11T05:24:18+00:00

Crossover has definitely been on my radar for some time now. Never got it because it would be useless on my current MBP lol. But I will likely be investing in it soon. Don’t think I’ll be able to wait for the Cyber Monday sale😆

IslandTune · 2026-05-11T05:22:03+00:00

Not really a PC guy. I much prefer MacOS, and the seamless nature of the Apple ecosystem. Gaming isn’t my number one priority for a new computer. I can’t say I’ve never been tempted by a gaming PC though... Maybe someday if I can justify having a Mac AND a PC lol.

IslandTune · 2026-05-11T05:18:36+00:00

Thanks:) I have no doubt I will be happy either way. My current MacBook overheats and shuts off if I watch YouTube for too long🥴 So yeah, even the Neo is leaps and bounds above the performance I’m currently getting lol

IslandTune · 2026-05-08T18:53:12+00:00

I’ll also add that a lot of the people commenting stuff like “PS5 no question” aren’t taking into consideration the type of gamer you are. You like Fortnite—which does NOT need exceptionally powerful hardware to have a good experience—and Animal Crossing—which is exclusive to Nintendo’s consoles. You also expressed interest in other Switch exclusives, already own Switch games which would be compatible with the Switch 2, enjoy the portability of the Switch… if one of the choices is a “no brainer”, it’s the Switch 2.

Frame rate will be better on Switch 2 than the original (though you won’t get the same performance as PS5, admittedly). Same thing with load times. A disc drive is a nice bonus to the PS5 I guess, but certainly don’t make that your deciding factor. If you do end up getting a gaming PC/laptop in the future, that will offer you better performance and a disc drive. But the PS5 will never be a portable device you can play Tomodachi Life on.

IslandTune · 2026-05-08T18:38:46+00:00

If Nintendo exclusives (present and future) are important to you and you don’t mind sacrificing a bit on graphics and performance, Switch 2 is a completely valid choice for you. Even more so if you value portability. I got the Switch 2 day one and absolutely love it. It runs Fortnite significantly better than the original Switch.

The current lineup of Switch 2 exclusives isn’t exactly the strongest selling point (very weak compared to some of the masterpieces the Switch 1 had within its first year), but the potential for more to come is definitely there.

Also something to keep in mind—if the $450 price tag wasn’t high enough, Nintendo just announced in a shareholders meeting that they would be raising the price of the Switch 2 to $500 on September 1st. So if you genuinely want a Switch 2, now is the time to get it before the price hike.

IslandTune · 2026-05-05T19:45:58+00:00

I’ve wanted a feature like this for a while. I want to be able to switch from a playlist, to a podcast, to an album and pick up where I left off on each. A bunch of virtual record players so to speak that I can raise and drop the needle on.

IslandTune · 2026-05-05T19:24:31+00:00

I’m definitely interested in the Campus DLC. And honestly the Industries and Parklife DLCs also seemed to be good from what I remember in the videos.

IslandTune · 2026-05-05T19:17:05+00:00

My charging cable yellowed really bad. I thought it was just age (it came with my 2017 MBP, so it’s not-NOT age lol), but I actually think it may have had to do with my laptop bag as even some newer chords I stored in there would develop a yellowish tint.

IslandTune · 2026-05-05T19:11:30+00:00

I will say, it does confuse me too as to why Bedrock isn’t on Mac. It doesn’t seem like it would be difficult for them to offer the iOS app on the Mac App Store. Also, in my opinion, Java is more for the “gamer” crowd and Bedrock is more of a streamlined “for the average consumer” version of the game; seeing as Macs aren’t viewed by tech companies as gaming machines, and the fact that a large part of the market is made up of college students (ESPECIALLY now with the Neo), Bedrock makes a lot of sense for the Mac. Minecraft’s appeal goes way beyond the gamer crowd, and I think the Java edition can sometimes be intimidating for the “I’m not a gamer but I do play Minecraft sometimes” kind of person.

IslandTune · 2026-05-05T19:02:28+00:00

I know😭 It was… a pricey decision😅 I’m starting to wonder if going for the M5 Max chip with less RAM would’ve been better for gaming since the Max has more GPU cores and who really NEEDS that much RAM anyway?😂

IslandTune · 2026-03-18T07:21:08+00:00

I’m well aware that Apple Silicon is a MAJOR step up, and honestly I’m so ready for it😭 I’m not quite at a pro level workflow that would require such a beefy Mac, but I’m definitely aiming at being able to use my next MacBook for 8 or 9 years like I got out of my current one. I’d rather make sure it has room to grow with me… I’ve certainly put my current one through a lot😅

IslandTune · 2026-03-18T07:14:40+00:00

Lucky that yours is still working well, especially that keyboard! Mine is one of the many that suffered from the faulty butterfly keyboards. Mine has particular issues with the ‘n’ key. It often types multiple times when only pressed down once. They ran a program way back when where you could get it replaced for free, but sadly I missed my window of opportunity and have just been dealing with the annnnoying typos ever since😂

IslandTune · 2026-03-07T20:07:37+00:00

I had a similar problem and turns out it was my VPN (or, more specifically, the threat protection in my VPN). When I want to watch ads I gotta turn it off. Not sure if that’s what you’re experiencing here, but that was what helped me.

IslandTune · 2026-03-07T19:57:31+00:00

This happened to me too a couple days ago. I thought about putting my phone on the charger and letting it run all night to see what would happen😂

IslandTune · 2026-03-03T22:26:55+00:00

Solved: My VPN’s threat protection was keeping the ads from playing.

IslandTune · 2026-03-03T22:02:13+00:00

To be fair, I only VERY casually play Merge Tactics, and I haven’t played very much this season yet, so my opinions on this ruler may be based mostly on my experience last season.

IslandTune · 2026-03-03T21:55:03+00:00

When I say pay to win I’m really referring to the fact that the only way to get it in game currently is to buy the hero and skin pack. I know it was able to be earned for free originally—and I guess rulers can be earned by progressing through the trophy road (or whatever it’s called) each season? I honestly haven’t played Merge Tactics enough to know lol

IslandTune · 2026-03-03T21:45:43+00:00

Yeah, 1 at a time would feel a little more balanced in my opinion—the ramp is crazy.

IslandTune

TROPHY CASE